Tomorrow is my first marathon.
That statement should create stomach churning nerves, overactive brain waves trying to think of what I've forgotten, thoughts of self-doubt, worries about what I'm going to feel like at mile 10, 15, 20, 22... But for whatever reason it is, I've got none of it.
I'm going into this marathon with a shin splint in my right leg, a knee issue in my left leg, a right foot that hasn't completely heeled from a previous roll, a head cold, and the furthest I've ever run is 20 miles. That should leave me scared and nervous. Right?
"Will I make it to the finish?"
"How is my body going to hold up after 20 miles?"
"Will I push myself too hard, fatigue, and have to walk?"
Bu to be honest, tomorrow feels like an inevitable. It's a step that I already know I'll finish. A part of me feels like I already have finished it. It's a weird sensation.
Maybe I'm "experienced" enough now to not to get worried. Maybe I'm still naive enough to not realize what's ahead. Maybe I haven't pushed myself hard enough to really reach what I'm capable of. Maybe I've pushed too hard and this is my brain giving up and taking the day off. Who knows! Who cares!
Whatever it is, I feel like a million bucks!
Tomorrow is my first marathon!
...and I'm going to CRUSH IT!
Here are my goals:
- True competitive goal - 3:30 (8:00 pace)
- Realistic goal - 3:45 (8:35 pace)
- Safety goal - 4:00 (9:10 pace)
- Run a steady pace - don't go out too fast and push myself on the back half
- Run the entire 26.2 without walking
- Finish
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Questions
1. How do you feel before a race? Nervous? Ancy? Like a wild animal locked in a cage?
Swim fast. Bike smart. Run hard.
13 comments:
Have a great race - OF COURSE you will crush it!
Good luck tomorrow!! Get a great night sleep (at least, try to). You're going to do great!! can't wait to read to recap!
Woo! Have an awesome race :) I'm racing this weekend too, and am (so far) pretty calm and collected about it. I just keep visioning myself across that finish line with the PR I'm aiming for!
GOOD LUCK! I think you are going to do great! Iam at the point where I know I can run a marathon and I know I can run it in a respectable time. You never know what will happen on race day and there are LOTS of variables in a marathon, but when you go into a race well-trained and experienced, tehre is a certain level of calm and a sense of readiness (mixed in with excitement for me because I love racing!)
HAVE FUN! Enjoy the journey. :) Your first marathon is a big deal. Can't wait to hear about it!!
OMG, enjoy every single freakin' minute of the run!! All the training is done... this is just one big victory lap! Relish it.
It's going to be awesome! I can't wait to hear all about it. The shin splint will hopefully go away quickly...those suck. I'm sure you're going to do great! Good luck!
I bet there'll be some walking involved. It's a humbling distance. It's your first marathon so first goal should just be to finish and get a gauge on how fit you are from doing one at the last minute. I think that's a pretty good indicator. Have fun!! Can't wait to read the report!
You are going to KICK ASS tomorrow!! Stay focused, realistic, and enjoy EVERY minute of the day!!!
LOVE the attitude Kurt!!! You're going to be a BEAST out there, I just know it!!! Have fun!!
Good luck tomorrow!!! Can't wait to read all about it!
All the best to you Kurt!!!!
Go get it Kurt!! You *will* crush it! Have lots of fun tomorrow :D
Good luck tomorrow. I'll be running my second tomorrow. I don't really get too nervous before races. My thoughts - it's only a race. Of course, I want to do to but there always more races if I don't. You'll do awesome!
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